“For families and friends who love to head to the beach during the warmer months, they can feel safe in the knowledge that as much as possible is being done to prevent them from harm.

“Our beaches are synonymous with summer, so we want to ensure that we are using all the tools available to us to keep our beachgoers safe.

Mr Ward said that while the prevention of attacks and drownings was the priority, the trial would also inform future approaches for the New South Wales Shark Management Strategy.

“This trial will be useful to assess the operational aspects of using drones by a volunteer organisation and it will also provide more in-depth data about the behavior of sharks in New South Wales waters,” Mr Ward said.

The trial will complement helicopter aerial surveillance for the upcoming school holidays from the Tweed to Wollongong. The drone trials will continue until the end of April 2019.